Recycling Education Program

Transcription

1 Recycling Education Program Pre- & Post-Visit Activities Grades 6-8

2 Talking Trash in Tucson Pre- & Post-Visit Activities Grades 6-8 Table of Contents Teacher Letter... Page 2 Pre-Visit Lesson: Blue Barrel Basics... Page 4 * Students learn what is recyclable in the City of Tucson's Do More Blue recycling program and review the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and waste diversion. For homework, students conduct an inventory of items found in a home refrigerator and determine ways to reduce the amount of garbage they produce at home. Post-Visit Lesson: Do More Blue Everyday... Page 12 * Students share how they are taking action to make a difference in their decisions related to the waste they generate. Ideas can be submitted for entry in a raffle to win a free water bottle-filling station for their school. Students create posters to inform the Tucson community about the importance of recycling and submit their posters to the Do More Blue Everyday Poster Contest sponsored by City of Tucson Environmental Services. Teacher Background Information... Page 20 Talking Trash in Tucson Vocabulary Words... Page 23 Arizona Department of Education Academic Standards.... Page 26

3 Dear Teacher, Welcome to Talking Trash in Tucson! The materials for Talking Trash in Tucson are available at The goals of Talking Trash in Tucson are: * To increase participation in recycling in Tucson (Do More Blue!). * To reduce recycling contamination (making sure non-recyclable items stay out of the Blue Barrels). * To provide engaging activities that meet Arizona Department of Education standards. * To rethink attitudes and actions about recycling, and instill an environmental ethic in students. * To encourage student participation in the Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest. How to get the most out of Talking Trash in Tucson: o Review the Teacher Background Information, Vocabulary Words, and AZ Department of Education Academic Standards. o Conduct the Pre-Visit Lesson with your students before the classroom presentation. o Schedule a classroom presentation online at or via at outreach@eeexchange.org. o Conduct the Post-Visit Lesson with your students after the classroom presentation. Submit your entry for a raffle to win a free water bottle-filling station for your school! Participate in the Do More Blue Everyday Poster Contest. The winner's poster will be enlarged and displayed on the side of a City of Tucson collection truck! Entry deadline is March 3. Thank you for participating in Talking Trash in Tucson. This program provides practical knowledge and skills that will help your students make intelligent decisions now and in the future! Waste Reduction Staff City of Tucson Environmental Services For more information, please contact: Senior Programs Manager Environmental Education Exchange 738 N. 5th Avenue, Suite 100 Tucson, Arizona (520) outreach@eeexchange.org

4 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Pre-Visit Lesson Pre-Visit Lesson: Blue Barrel Basics At a Glance: In this pre-visit lesson, students identify what can be recycled in the City of Tucson's Do More Blue recycling program. Students review methods of reducing, reusing, recycling, and waste diversion. They work together to identify ways to apply these methods to a variety of consumable products. As a homework assignment, students conduct an inventory of the items found in a home refrigerator. Students present their findings to the class, and share ways to further reduce the amount of garbage they produce. Arizona Department of Education Academic Standards: Please refer to the Arizona Department of Education Academic Standards section for the ADE standards addressed by this lesson. Learning Objectives: Students will be able to: * define reduce, reuse and recycle. * describe ways that materials can be reduced, reused, and recycled. * describe examples of waste diversion. * identify recyclable and non-recyclable materials in the City of Tucson's Do More Blue recycling program. Materials: o Display Sheet: Do More Blue Everday use a projector o Student Worksheet: Roll out the Blue Barrel photocopy one per student or group o Student Worksheet: Recyclables in the Refrigerator photocopy one per student Procedure: Part One: Roll Out the Blue Barrel 1. Explain to the students that during this lesson they will learn about the City of Tucson s recycling program, Do More Blue, in preparation for their upcoming Talking Trash in Tucson presentation. 2. Ask students: What are the 3Rs? Briefly review the definitions of the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle), and ask students to provide examples: Reduce - The process of decreasing the amount of waste generated. Reuse - The process of using an object more than once in its same form for the same purpose or for different purposes to extend the life of the object. Recycle - The process of collecting, sorting, processing, and using already manufactured materials for remanufacturing products. 3. Explain that the amount of waste that goes to the landfill can be decreased by using the R3s and by using waste diversion options, such as composting. Composting is the process of collecting food scraps and yard trimmings, and storing it under conditions designed to City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 4

5 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Pre-Visit Lesson Pre-Visit Lesson: Blue Barrel Basics (continued) help it decompose naturally. The resulting compost can then be used as a natural fertilizer. Composting helps keep a lot of waste out of the landfill. 4. Present the Display Sheet: Do More Blue Everday using a projector. Ask students: Do you use a Blue Barrel for recycling at home? If not, do you take your recyclables to a Neighborhood Recycling Center? Point out that this display sheet shows the many things that can be recycled in Tucson. We can put all of our recyclables into one recycling container; this is called single stream recycling. Even if families don t have their own Blue Barrel, there are numerous Neighborhood Recycling Centers located across Tucson. A map can be found at: 5. Ask students: Where does your recycling go once it is picked up? Tucson s recycling is taken to the ReCommunity Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where the different types of items (paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, steel/tin, etc.) are sorted, bundled, and then shipped out to places in Arizona, across the U.S., and all over the world to be recycled. This state-of-the-art MRF opened in July 2012 near E. Ajo Way and S. Alvernon Way. 6. Hand out the Student Worksheet: Roll Out the Blue Barrel. Have students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to complete the table in Part One. For each item, they need to determine the following: What is the original source (from which natural resource does the product originate: trees, petroleum, metal, sand)? Can the product be reduced, reused and/or recycled? Is there a waste diversion option for the product? Must the product be thrown away in the garbage? Students should test themselves to see how much they already know about what can go into the Blue Barrel, but they can refer to the Display Sheet as needed. 7. When students are finished, review each of the items in the table, calling on different students or groups to answer. Remind students that plastic bags, Styrofoam, and hazardous materials cannot be recycled in Tucson's Blue Barrels. Part Two: Recyclables in the Refrigerator 1. Introduce the research method called an inventory - a procedure whereby a person can keep track of specific items for a purpose. Provide examples of who might do this, such as a grocery store clerk who must inventory supplies by writing down the items as they are unloaded from a delivery truck or a biologist who lists the types and numbers of birds that come to a bird-feeder. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 5

6 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Pre-Visit Lesson Pre-Visit Lesson: Blue Barrel Basics (continued) 2. Ask students the following questions: If you were a recycling researcher, what could you inventory at your home? What are some items in your home refrigerator that might be recyclable or non-recyclable? Explain that limiting the inventory to the refrigerator is one way of controlling the size of the data for an inventory. Review the procedures for conducting a true research project, including the development of a question and hypothesis, data collection procedures, analysis and conclusion. 3. Tell students that for homework they will take an inventory of the containers and packaging items inside their home refrigerator. Hand out the Student Worksheet: Recyclables in the Refrigerator. Read and discuss the directions so that all students understand the assignment. Be sure that students understand how to record the tally in one column, and the total in the next column. Encourage students to complete the inventory with family members. 4. When students return with the assignment completed, have them present their findings by stating their own conclusions and explaining how their results support their conclusions. Include a discussion of how students can reduce, reuse, recycle, and use waste diversion options. 5. You may also wish to have students review the Student Worksheet: Roll Out the Blue Barrel from Part One and discuss and indicate which items they actually do (or will) recycle at home. Extension Ideas: Have students create a bar or pie graph using their inventory data and use their graphs to support their conclusions. Select common data from the students investigations for comparison, such as the number of recyclable plastic items or the number/types of non-recyclable items in their home refrigerators. Create a table of this data on the board or to display using a projector. Have students develop a graph of the data. Analyze the results as part of a class discussion or additional assignment. Learn more about recycling and waste management in Tucson by visiting the Do More Blue website at Learn more about recycling and Tucson's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 6

7 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Discover all you can Blue at Pre-Visit Lesson tucsonaz.gov/esd PLASTIC (HDPE) BOTTLES AND JUGS 1 2. PLASTIC CONTAINERS 1. PLASTIC (PETE) BOTTLES MAGAZINES AND CATALOGS 10. NOTEBOOKS AND PHONEBOOKS 7. PAPERBOARD 8. MOLDED FIBERBOARD 6 4. CORRUGATED CARDBOARD 5. BROWN PAPER BAGS 6. NEWSPAPERS RIGID PLASTICS 12. ALUMINUM CANS 13. STEEL / TIN CANS MILK CARTONS AND DRINK BOXES GLASS FOOD AND BEVERAGE BOTTLES AND JARS 16. PRINTING AND WRITING PAPER 17. MAIL AND COPY PAPER 18. BROCHURES AND OTHER PAPER AND PLEASE, NO PLASTIC BAGS, BUBBLE WRAP OR STYROFOAM! TM City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 7

8 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Pre-Visit Lesson Student Worksheet: Roll Out the Blue Barrel Name: Class/Period Date Instructions: Complete the following table by answering these questions: 1. What is the original source material of the product (does it come from trees, petroleum, metal, or sand)? 2. Think of ways you can reduce your use of the product or reuse the product. 3. Decide if the product can be recycled in your Blue Barrel, if there is a waste diversion option, or if it needs to be thrown away in your trash can. Original Source Product Reduce Reuse Recycle Waste Diversion Trash Notebook paper Margarine tub Corrugated cardboard box Plastic grocery bag Phonebook Cardboard egg carton Milk and juice carton Colored paper Juice pouch Juice box Styrofoam egg carton Paper bag City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 8

9 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Pre-Visit Lesson Student Worksheet: Roll Out the Blue Barrel (continued) Original Source Product Reduce Reuse Recycle Waste Diversion Trash Glass soda bottle Plastic water bottle Newspaper Yard waste Aluminum can Packaging peanuts Steel/tin can Whipped cream can Cereal box Paper towel Apple core Paperboard (cereal box) Old t-shirt in good condition Glass applesauce jar Magazine Toilet paper tube Plastic berry container Plastic soda bottle City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 9

10 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Pre-Visit Lesson Student Worksheet: Recyclables in the Refrigerator Name: Class/Period Date As a recycling researcher, you are to take an inventory of the container and packaging items in your home refrigerator to determine what is recyclable and what is non-recyclable. Do not count food items that are not in a container or do not have packaging. Procedure: 1. Before you begin your inventory, write a question for your investigation. (Example: Which type of recyclable is most common in my home refrigerator?) 2. Write a hypothesis related to your question. (Example: I think there will be more paper products than anything.) 3. Complete an inventory of your home refrigerator. Record the data for each item in the data table below. Recyclables in the Refrigerator Tally Table Type of Material Tally of Recyclable Items Total Recyclable Items Tally of Non-Recyclable Items Total of Recyclable Items Paper Cardboard Plastic containers Plastic bags Styrofoam Aluminum cans Aluminum foil Steel/tin cans Glass Other Other City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 10

11 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Pre-Visit Lesson Student Worksheet: Recyclables in the Refrigerator (continued) 4. After reviewing your data in the table in Question 3, write a conclusion. (Example: My hypothesis was incorrect. There were mostly plastic items.) 5. List one specific example of each type of material in your refrigerator and describe a way to reduce and/or reuse it. An example is included below: Plastic container - margarine tub Reduce buy fewer large tubs instead of more small tubs Reuse clean tub and use to store leftovers 6. If you have any non-recyclable items in your refrigerator, suggest alternatives to those items, or if there are waste diversion options. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 11

12 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Post-Visit Lesson Post-Visit Lesson: Do More Blue Everyday At a Glance: In this post-visit lesson, students discuss what they have learned about the importance of the 3Rs, waste diversion, and the City of Tucson's Do More Blue program, and how can they make a difference in their everyday lives. They consider ways to share their knowledge to inspire others to take action as well. Ideas can be submitted for entry in a raffle to win a free water bottle-filling station for their school. Students then create posters to inform the Tucson community about the importance of recycling and submit their posters to the Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest sponsored by City of Tucson Environmental Services. Arizona Department of Education Academic Standards: Please refer to the Arizona Department of Education Academic Standards section for the ADE standards addressed by this lesson. Learning Objectives: Students will be able to: * describe how they can take action and make a difference by implementing the 3Rs and waste diversion in their lives. * submit a poster highlighting the importance of recycling in the City of Tucson to the Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest. Materials: o Do More Blue Everyday Poster Contest Rules photocopy one per student o Do More Blue Everyday Poster Contest Entry Form photocopy one per student o Do More Blue Everyday Poster Contest Certificate of Participation photocopy one per student o Do More Blue Everyday Poster Contest Flyer post in your classroom Procedure: 1. Ask students how they can use what they have learned from the Talking Trash in Tucson classroom presentation and how they can use that information in their everyday lives. Responses should include a variety of ways to reduce, reuse, recycle, and divert waste at home, school or in the community, and the benefits of doing so, such as: In Tucson, we can recycle paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, steel/tin cans, glass jars and bottles, and plastic containers. Bring your recyclables to a Neighborhood Recycling Center if a Blue Barrel is not available. Compost food scraps and yard trimmings. Plastic bags can be recycled at some stores, but NOT in the Blue Barrel. Bring your own reusable shopping bags when you go shopping. Use reusable water bottles Recycling saves natural resources such as trees, oil, metal, and sand. Recycling saves landfill space, saves money, and reduces pollution. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 12

13 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Post-Visit Lesson Post-Visit Lesson: Do More Blue Everyday (continued) 2. Remind students that at the end of the Talking Trash in Tucson classroom presentation they wrote on their whiteboards about one simple thing they could each do to make a difference in their decisions related to the waste they generate. Have students share a few of their behavior changes with the class. Ask students how successful they have been following through with their suggested behavior changes or actions. Encourage them to "keep up the good work" or "try a little harder" in their recycling efforts, as needed. 3. Explain to students that their actions or behavior changes may seem simple or small, but when multiplied by many people, they can add up and really make a difference, not just in Tucson, but around the world. Ask students to think of ways they can share what they have learned with others, and instill in others the need to take action and change behavior. Responses may include sharing what they learned at school with family members at home, being in charge of recycling at home or school, helping families shop responsibly (e.g., by purchasing recyclable products, products that are made from recycled materials, or products that have less packaging; by using durable, reusable grocery bags instead of paper or plastic bags), and teaching younger students at school the importance of the 3Rs. 4. Additional ways to take action include: a. Free Water Bottle-Filling Station Raffle Complete a short survey at for classes participating in the classroom presentation, describing how students are taking action to make a difference in their decisions related to the waste they generate. Completed surveys will be entered in a raffle at the end of the school year for a free water bottle-filling station to be installed at your school! b. Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest Another way students can take action is to participate in a contest sponsored by City of Tucson Environmental Services, the Do More Blue Everyday Poster Contest. The objective of the contest is to create a poster that effectively and clearly highlights the importance of recycling in the City of Tucson. This contest is an opportunity for students to creatively express their understanding of recycling and waste reduction in our community and to spread that message to the residents of Tucson. The winner's poster will be enlarged and displayed on the side of a City of Tucson collection truck! City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 13

14 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Post-Visit Lesson Post-Visit Lesson: Do More Blue Everyday (continued) Hand out the Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest Rules and Entry Form. Review the handouts with students. (Note: Decide in advance if class-time will be allotted to work on this poster, or if the poster will be created as a homework assignment.) Complete a Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest Certificate of Participation for each student submitting an entry to the contest. Submit the posters by March 3 as described on the Entry Form. (If you don t use this lesson until after March 3, you can still submit poster entries to be considered for the following year s contest.) Winners will be announced in April. Extension Ideas: Make copies of the Do More Blue Everday posters before submitting them to the contest (or scan the posters and save as files). Display the posters in your classroom, around school (library, cafeteria, hallways), on your class or school website, or in the school newsletter. There are a variety of ways students can take a more active role in managing the waste they generate. Get started using the following websites as inspiration: City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 14

15 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Lesson 4 Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest Rules About the Contest: City of Tucson Environmental Services is sponsoring the Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest. Tucson students in grades 4-8 are invited to create a poster that effectively and clearly highlights the importance of recycling in the City of Tucson. This contest is an opportunity for students to creatively express their understanding of recycling and waste reduction in our community and to spread that message to the residents of Tucson. The winner's poster will be enlarged and displayed on the side of a City of Tucson collection truck! Eligibility: All 4th-8th grade students in City of Tucson public, private and charter schools (including home schooled students) are eligible. Theme: Do More Blue Everday posters should clearly highlight the importance of recycling in the City of Tucson. This theme can include topics such as "reduce, reuse, recycle," using the Blue Barrel, "Do More Blue," and materials accepted at the new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Use your imagination and get creative! Poster Requirements: 3 Students must create their own original artwork - no copyrighted clip art, computergenerated graphics, or copyrighted characters. 3 Posters must reflect the theme of the contest. 3 All entries must be submitted on quality paper or poster board. (No lined notebook paper!) 3 Drawings must be on a piece of paper that is 11 inches in width and 8.5 inches in height, so that the layout is in landscape format. 3 All entries must be 2-dimensional; no glued on pieces will be accepted. 3 Any medium (paint, crayon, marker, colored pencil, etc.) is acceptable, but remember that bright solid colors will reproduce better! 3 Students may only submit one entry. 3 Each poster must have an entry form firmly attached to the back of the poster. 3 Do NOT fold poster when mailing or delivering. 3 Posters are due by March 3. (Posters received after this date will be considered for the following year s contest.) 11" PAPER ORIENTATION 8.5" City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 15

16 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Lesson 4 Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest Rules (continued) 3 Entries must be mailed or delivered to: Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest Environmental Education Exchange 738 N. 5th Avenue, Suite 100 Tucson, AZ To deliver a poster, please call in advance. Contest Reminders: 3 All entries will become the property of City of Tucson Environmental Services and will not be returned. Environmental Services reserves the right to reproduce the posters, use winners names, schools, grade levels, and photographs in public announcements about the contest, and display winning posters on the sides of city collection trucks. 3 Entries will be disqualified if the poster requirements are not met. Judging: 3 Entries will be judged by a panel from the City of Tucson and local arts and environmental organizations. 3 The winner's poster will be enlarged and displayed on the side of a City of Tucson collection truck! 3 Winners will be announced in April. Judging Criteria: 1. Clear message communicated by the text and artwork. 2. The theme is addressed. 3. Creativity, originality, and artistic quality - no copyrighted artwork, characters or name brands 4. Visual clarity - is it easy to read? 5. Reproducibility is it able to be copied easily? 6. Bright and colorful 7. Appropriate dimensions 8. Entry form is attached to the back of the poster. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 16

17 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Lesson 4 City of Tucson Environmental Services Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest Entry Form Please print or type information in the table below. All 4th-8th grade students in City of Tucson public, private and charter schools (including home schooled students) are eligible. All entries must be received by March 3. Participant name Participant address Participant phone number Participant address Participant grade level Sponsoring teacher/subject School name Parent/guardian name I hereby certify that this poster was created entirely by the student above and is the student s original artwork. I agree that it may be offered for public display or publication during or after the contest. I understand that this poster becomes the property of City of Tucson Environmental Services and may be reproduced for public display or publication. The original poster will not be returned. The student s name, school and grade level may be released along with photographs of the student and his/her artwork. Student Signature Date Parent/GuardianSignature Date This form must be securely attached to the back of the entry submitted. Please mail or deliver completed poster and entry form to: Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest Environmental Education Exchange 738 N. 5th Avenue, Suite 100 Tucson, AZ To deliver a poster, please call in advance. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 17

18 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling City of Tucson Environmental Services is pleased to award this CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION to For your contribution to the Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest. We value your participation as well as your commitment to recycling and our environment. Date City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 18

19 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest About the Contest: City of Tucson Environmental Services is sponsoring the Do More Blue Everday Poster Contest. Tucson students in grades 4-8 are invited to create a poster that effectively and clearly highlights the importance of recycling in the City of Tucson. This contest is an opportunity for students to creatively express their understanding of recycling and waste reduction in our community and to spread that message to the residents of Tucson. The winner's poster will be enlarged and displayed on the side of a City of Tucson collection truck! Eligibility: All 4th-8th grade students in City of Tucson public, private and charter schools (including home schooled students) are eligible. Theme: Do More Blue Everday posters should clearly highlight the importance of recycling in the City of Tucson. This theme can include topics such as using the Blue Barrel, "Do More Blue," and materials accepted at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Use your imagination and get creative! RECYCLING POSTER CONTEST For more information, go to City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 19

20 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Teacher Background Information A World of Waste What is solid waste? Also referred to as trash, rubbish, refuse, or garbage, solid waste means waste material that is not liquid or gas. These lessons focus on municipal solid waste (MSW), which includes household, commercial and institutional waste, but not wastes from mining, agriculture, silviculture, demolition debris, and a variety of sludges. The term waste has interesting connotations. It can refer to something leftover or something not used wisely. Much that is considered waste could actually be used wisely. Solid waste is a serious issue in the United States. The U.S. leads the world in the production of municipal solid waste. Even compared to other wealthy industrialized nations such as Japan or countries in Europe, we generate twice as much solid waste per capita. The average American produces about 4.5 pounds of garbage each day! In 1960, that figure was 2.6 pounds. Every year in the United States, we generate 250 million tons of garbage. That s enough trash to cover the state of Arizona 5 times! Recycling has been growing steadily for over 30 years. From 1980 to 1990, the U.S. almost doubled its recycling rate from 9 percent to 17 percent. In 1995, our country s average recycling rate was over 25 percent, and by 2010, it was approximately 34 percent. At Tucson s Los Reales landfill, more than 1,500 tons of garbage arrive every day, much of it recyclable. Tucson s recycling rate has increased from 9% to 23%. A new state of the art Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) opened in July 2012, allowing us to recycle a wider variety of material than ever before especially plastics. Now we can handle all seven types of recyclable plastics. Recycling is much more than an alternate means of waste disposal. Recycling is about conserving natural resources, reducing our use of energy and materials, minimizing pollution, and more. What are the Three Rs? In a waste reduction context, the Three Rs refer to reduce, reuse, and recycle. These are the three most basic, important ways to reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and decrease our impacts on the natural world. Reducing, reusing, and recycling often save money, too. It is important to recognize that the order cited reduce, reuse, recycle is not arbitrary. Some people tend to think of recycling as a central focus and of reducing and reusing as less important, but this is not a correct understanding. Reducing is actually the most efficient way to conserve resources. Reusing is second in efficiency. Recycling is important, but is not as efficient as reducing and reusing. Recycling of course involves a cycle. For recycling to be successful, we need to complete the cycle, or close the loop, by buying recycled goods. Although confusing, it s important to learn to distinguish between the made from recycled symbol, which is a trio of light chasing arrows on a dark circle background, from the recyclable symbol, which is a simple trio of chasing arrows, with no dark background. A made from recycled product is actually made from materials that have been used before. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 20

21 Talking Trash in Tucson REDUCE To buy or use fewer items or to throw away less trash. n Prevent waste; buy only what you really need. n Purchase products you use regularly in large packages. n Purchase products in less packaging. n Purchase concentrates and bulk goods. n Buy products in refillable packaging. n Borrow, loan, rent, lease, or share when possible (books, tools, etc.). n Use both sides of paper. n Take action to get your name deleted from mailing lists. n Repair instead of replace something broken or worn. n Buy good quality, durable products fabricated so that they can be repaired. n Take good care of your things so that they last. REUSE A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling To save something and use it over again for the same purpose or another purpose. n Choose reusable rather than disposable goods (napkins, mugs, razors, sponges, etc.). n Purchase used goods (furniture, books, music, toys, clothes, etc.). n Sell or give away goods you no longer want or need. n Use the back of old paper as scratch paper. n Use glass jars, plastic tubs, water bottles, lunch bags, etc. again and again. n Use leftover materials to make something different (scrap lumber to build a bat house or doll house). RECYCLE The Three Rs To make something used into something new. n Recycle as much as possible through community collection programs, either curbside or at drop-off locations. n Adjust your purchasing habits to buy items in packages that are recyclable in your area. n Keep an eye out for special recycling programs, such as opportunities to recycle copier or computer printer cartridges through an office supply store and Christmas tree collection programs. n Remember to buy recycled! Look for products and packaging with recycled content. n Help "nature s recycling" by composting kitchen and yard waste. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 21

22 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling The success of the Do More Blue program depends on two factors: n Quality of the recycled materials, and n Efficiency of the collection. It is the responsibility of each homeowner to follow these recommendations which allow for the best separation and eventual use of the recycled materials. Unacceptable Materials: Plastic bags Grass Yard waste Styrofoam Food waste Diapers Clothing Aluminum foil Hazardous waste Guidelines for Blue Barrel Recycling Please make sure materials are clean, empty and dry. Set out your Blue Barrel for collection when it is more than half full to decrease fuel consumption and air pollution. Have barrel at curb by 6 a.m. to ensure service. Leave labels on containers. Bottle and jar caps and lids can be recycled. Lightly rinse food containers. Use water wisely - throw very dirty items into the garbage. All recyclables go loose into the Blue Barrel, together - no sorting! Please put them in individually, not inside a box or bag. Do not flatten cans and bottles to ensure sorting equipment works properly. Cut or flatten corrugated cardboard boxes to fit in container. Remove plastic wrapping and liners. Shredded paper may be recycled in the Blue Barrel if it is secured in a clear plastic bag. (NOTE: This is the only time that plastic bags can go in the recycling container.) City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 22

23 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Talking Trash in Tucson Vocabulary Words Blue Barrel: The plastic container used for curbside recycling in the Do More Blue program. Close the Loop: To create a continuous cycle for a product from production, to purchasing, to consumption, to recycling, to ultimately returning to production. Compost: The process of collecting organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, and storing it under conditions designed to help it decompose naturally. This resulting compost can then be used as a natural fertilizer. Decomposition: Process by which a substance is broken down into component parts or basic elements under the proper conditions of light, air, and moisture. Do More Blue: Part of City of Tucson Environmental Services solid waste management program focusing on recycling. The Do More Blue program provides Blue Barrels for single-stream curbside recycling in the City of Tucson; in addition, large blue containers are available for recycling at businesses and Neighborhood Recycling Centers. For more information go to or call (520) Downcycle: To convert waste materials into new materials or products of lesser quality. For example, white notebook paper is often downcycled into cardboard. Landfill: A carefully designed structure built into the ground in which trash is isolated from the environment; a plastic liner is used to prevent groundwater pollution, and the trash is periodically covered with sand or similar material and compacted. Los Reales Landfill: The landfill for the residents and businesses of Tucson and Pima County. Each day approximately 1,500 tons of solid waste is brought to the 350-acre landfill, located at 5300 E. Los Reales Road (between Swan and Craycroft Roads). For more information go to Materials Recovery Facility: A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), pronounced murf, is the facility where recyclable materials are taken to be separated, bundled, prepared and transported away to be made into new products. Natural resources: Raw materials and energy from nature: land, water, sunshine, and minerals. Everything comes from natural resources. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 23

24 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Talking Trash in Tucson Vocabulary Words (continued) Neighborhood Recycling Center: Even if you don t have a Blue Barrel, you can recycle at one of the Neighborhood Recycling Centers located throughout Tucson. Locations can be found at: Non-renewable natural resources: Materials that are considered finite in amount, or exhaustible because of their scarcity, the great length of time required for their formation, or their rapid depletion. Examples include petroleum, coal, and copper. ReCommunity Tucson: The City of Tucson's MRF, located at 3780 E. Ajo Way (near the intersection with Alvernon Way). For more information go to Recycle: The process of collecting, sorting, processing, and using already manufactured materials (such as paper, glass, plastic and metals) for remanufacturing of new products thus reducing the amount of new raw materials needed. Recycled material: Material that has already been recycled and remanufactured into new products. Recyclable material: Material that can be recycled and remanufactured into new products. Reduce: The process of decreasing the amount of waste generated. Renewable natural resources: Materials that can be renewed, restored, or regenerated by natural ecological cycles or sound management practices. Examples include plants, animals and sunlight. Reuse: The process of using an object more than once in its same form for the same purpose or for different purposes to extend the life of the object. Single Stream Recycling: Recyclables that are collected mixed together, rather than separate from one another. In Tucson, recyclables are placed together in the Blue Barrel, then sorted at the MRF. Solid waste: More commonly known as trash or garbage; consists of everyday items we use and then throw away, such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 24

25 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Talking Trash in Tucson Vocabulary Words (continued) Solid waste management: The collection, transport, processing or disposal, managing and monitoring of waste materials. Source or waste reduction: The design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials to reduce the amount or toxicity of materials before they enter the waste stream. Source reduction includes redesigning products or packaging, reusing products and packaging already manufactured, and lengthening the life of products to postpone disposal. Three Rs (3Rs): Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Upcycle: To convert waste materials into new materials or products of better quality. For example, foil juice pouches can be upcycled to make handbags and backpacks. Waste Diversion: The process of diverting waste from landfills. The waste may be recycled (for example, bringing plastic bags back to the grocery store), composted, or repurposed (for example, using candy wrappers and juice pouches to make bags). Waste Stream: The total flow of solid waste from homes, businesses, institutions, and manufacturing plants to final disposal. City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 25

26 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Arizona Department of Education Academic Standards The Talking Trash in Tucson program for grades 6-8 addresses the following Academic Standards. (Complete versions of the Academic Standards are available at SCIENCE STANDARDS PRE-VISIT LESSON CLASSROOM PRESENTATION POST-VISIT LESSON SC06-S1C1-02, SC07-S1C1-01, SC08-S1C1-01 Formulate questions based on observations that lead to the development of a hypothesis. 3 SC06-S3C2-01, SC07-S3C2-01, SC08-S3C2-01 Propose viable methods of responding to an identified need or problem. SC06-S3C2-02, SC07-S3C2-02, SC08-S3C2-02 Compare possible solutions to best address an identified need or problem SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS SS06-S3C4-01 Describe ways an individual can contribute to a school or community. SS06-S4C5-02 Describe the intended and unintended consequences of human modification (e.g., irrigation, aqueducts, canals) on the environment. SS06-S4C5-03 Explain how changes in the natural environment (e.g., flooding of the Nile) can increase or diminish its capacity to support human activities. SS06-S5C1-01 Identify how limited resources and unlimited human wants cause people to choose some things and give up others. SS07-S4C5-03 Describe how humans modify environments (e.g., conservation, deforestation, dams) and adapt to the environment. SS07-S4C5-04 Describe the positive and negative outcomes of human modification on the environment. SS07-S5C1-01 Explain how limited resources and unlimited human wants cause people to choose some things and give up others City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 26

27 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS (CONTINUED) PRE-VISIT LESSON CLASSROOM PRESENTATION POST-VISIT LESSON SS08-S4C5-03 Explain how changes in the natural environment can increase or diminish its capacity to support human activities. 3 SS08-S4C5-04 Explain how technology positively and negatively affects the environment. 3 SS08-S5C1-01 Explain how limited resources and unlimited human wants cause people to choose some things and give up others. SS08-S5C1-05 Describe the impact of the availability and distribution of natural resources on an economy READING STANDARDS FOR INFORMATIONAL TEXT 6.RI.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue SPEAKING AND LISTENING STANDARDS 6.SL.1, 7.SL.1, 8.SL.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners on grade 6, 7 or 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly. 6.SL.4 Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. 6.SL.5 Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information. 7.SL.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 27

28 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling SPEAKING AND LISTENING STANDARDS (CONTINUED) PRE-VISIT LESSON CLASSROOM PRESENTATION POST-VISIT LESSON 7.SL.5 Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points. 8.SL.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. 8.SL.5 Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest VISUAL ARTS STANDARDS VA6-8-S1C1 The student will develop, revise, and reflect on ideas for expression in his or her own artwork. VA6-8-S1C2 The student will use materials, tools, and techniques in his or her own artwork. VA6-8-S1C3 The student will use elements of art and principles of design in his or her own artwork. VA6-8-S1C4 The student will express ideas to communicate meanings or purposes in artwork. VA6-8-S1C5 The student will apply criteria to assess the quality of in-progress and finished artwork City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 28

29 Talking Trash in Tucson A Middle School Curriculum on Recycling Partially funded by: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Recycling Program Developed by: Copyright 2017 Environmental Education Exchange 738 N. Fifth Ave, Suite 100 Tucson, AZ (520) City of Tucson Recycling Education Program Page 29